Fashionista...

Our company’s year-end assessment program had just concluded in a Christmas party filled with glitz and glamour as it was inspired and defined a Fashionista Night. Everybody came in their colorful costumes and fashionable dresses, fancy make-ups and head-turning make-overs. Shared excitement and fun filled the venue every time participants arrived in great costume. Other got suspense as other became thrilled. Cheers and yells jammed the place during registration as they welcomed one another.

Highlight of the program was the fashion show competition which showcased the skill and artistry of every group. Way back in September, the company was grouped into four to vie in a bowling tournament. My yellow team just ranked second that time. The committee decided to continue the game but this time in fashion show to add excitement in the program.

Each group required to present two distinctive male and female costumes under the categories of filipiniana, retro, corporate attire, beach wear and futuristic inspired. I spent a week to conceptualize, prepare and do the leg work for my group’s presentation. I tried to use unique materials for the project- the output is an art which defined one's creativity that captured the attention of the crowd. I made gowns out of plastic sheets, sentai costume from toys and enchanting concepts for sexy beach wears. To kill the boredom, we matched a pair of sneaker to a prim and proper corporate attire for the girl, and let her did the ramp as she carried another pair of elegant shoes and bag. We let the male wore short pants and a bag pack in contrast to well fitted suit and tie. We really made a crazy crowd.

At the end of the show, my group bagged six of ten awards that brought us to be the overall champion. In addition, my self-canvassed shirt and disk-mosaic pants brought me to the title of top male fashionista of the night. Also, the lantern and décor I prepared out of recycled acetate film with the concept of “White Christmas” displayed in our office lobby both garnered second place while my personalized Christmas Card was included among the finalist. With all those, I instantly became Man-of-the-Hour. Compliments didn't ended that night. Days after until now, I still receive generous acknowledgement and admiration from colleagues and tt was all flattering.

Trick n Treat...

Bringing kids in the mall for the annual trick or treat party had just become my commitment. Other than the occasional family summer outing, this is the only time of the year when I can treat them all and let them enjoy bonding with the rests of city youngsters .

I’m about to miss recent mall’s annual party in my hometown. It was scheduled on working day. The idea of taking a vacation leave became an option, but at the end, i realized the work to be at stake. I chose to be in the office and attend on my errands. Before lunch we surprised to receive a memo declaring the cancellation of the remaining working hours for that day to benefit employees who’ll go provincial travel for the Halloween. I never wasted single second. I instantly grabbed my bag and took the stairs from the fifth to the ground floor rather than taking the elevator. I registered a new record of 35 seconds (no kidding). I got the first available cab I saw while I’m crossing the lane down the building and at any rate, order the driver to drop me in the bus station at the fastest possible way. The cool driver just smiled and asked me to take the seat belt and hold breath to fly.

The cab dropped me in the station at around 15 minutes after. My hubby was right there patiently waiting handed our take-out lunch for the trip. We didn’t fly but it was fast enough as the clever driver took alternative routes and short cuts avoiding the bumper-to-bumper situation along the main roads due to the rush hours.

Generous numbers of commuters came at the station. In few minutes the bus engine started to work, sign that we're heading home. Along the way, traffic was not as good during ordinary days. There were short-distance slow moving situation. We came in Lipa one hour delay than our usual trip.

We rushed in the mall to see remaining activities of the Halloween program. Right there and then, a big crowd of cute kids converged in their colorful costumes with their loot bags and pumpkin pails hopping from one store to another for some candies and cookies. Generous stores gifted little toys and chocolates.

In the venue, I saw my nephew with her mom almost got sleep waiting for the program. The kid was not in costume, no pumpkin pail so he can’t go to stores to grab stuffs just like the other kids. He was there to watch the magic show and enjoy wandering colorful kids costumes.

I just ate my heart as I saw certain jealous on the eye of the boy stared on the other kid happily roaming around the mall. In 15 more minutes, the program proper will about to start. Adrenalin rush- I grab materials from the store: plastic sheets, a small roll of clear tape. and a sachet of glitters. We took a seat in a food shop and I started working on my unplanned costume for the kid as his mom and my hubby taking their watery food. I’m almost half through my stuff when the colorful parade passed through all over the mall. 20 minutes more and I’m done- there he was… Marsian Kid. I started to see the smile in the little kid when we proceed on the fashion show back in the venue. Few minutes more, his name was called. The boy proudly ramped his 20-minute makeover costume. It was all good as it received ohhhs and ahhhs from the crowd. Around 300 children in fancy costumes gathered at the mall participated the annual costume parade and contest, enjoyed the whole magic trick show, colorful games and other treat from the mall administrator. At the end of the show- the marsian kid bested the rest as he was announced the best costume under his category. Up-the-stage was a happier kid and proud mom enjoying the flashes of cameras from the crowd. Prizes were good enough that I should no longer worry for the kids’ Christmas shopping. It was my fourth winning in a row. My adrenalin really worked under pressure.